January 11, 2000 For Immediate Release

CUPE Local 3799 To Set Up Pickets Friday Morning Classes Will Continue On Tuesday morning, CUPE Local 3799 representing support staff at the University of Northern British Columbia served the University with 72-hour strike notice. UNBC has been informed that a picket line will be erected Friday morning from 8 - 10am. Classes will continue to be offered at their regular times and locations.

UNBC has been negotiating with CUPE Local 3799 since April. Mediation began in November. Significant progress was made on many issues at the local table, both before and during mediation. In addition, UNBC has participated with UVic, Simon Fraser, and UBC at a provincial accord table and there's every possibility that a resolution can be achieved through these discussions. "Given the progress that is being made locally and provincially, it is disappointing that CUPE would feel the need to strike at this time," says UNBC President Charles Jago.

UNBC is committed to negotiating a collective agreement with CUPE for the good of its employees and students. The University is willing to continue with local negotiations at any time.

There are 170 CUPE employees at UNBC and approximately 7,000 CUPE employees at all four BC universities.